Review of Ran (1985) by Arun J — 08 Aug 2012
WHAT. A. FILM.
Kurosawa only reached my folks by the Western spinoffs of Seven Samurai, Rashomon and Yojimbo. But boy, I wish they could get past the "foreign" aspect, because this movie is of unnatural quality. The take on King Lear is brilliant, and ultimately builds on it (Lady Kaede, based on a Japanese legend I believe, is what I speak of - she is played sublimely). The actors are nothing short of brilliant, without exception. The art direction, cinematography, and costume design earned the film Oscar nominations, winning one, but worthy of all three - and more. The film score is distinctive and stunning as well.
I was debating with my brother about which was better - Ran or Seven Samurai. We both felt they were equal in the end. But if anyone is cynical about the 25-year period between Ran's release and Kurosawa's other epochal movies, I have a John Steinbeck analogy: If Seven Samurai is the Grapes Of Wrath, then Ran is East Of Eden. That's a compliment.
This review of Ran (1985) was written by Arun J on 08 Aug 2012.
Ran has generally received very positive reviews.
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